Tough choice of bass to buy

Gotta love that tone of a thumb 5 NT though. It is in its own league and a legendary instrument for a reason. I will keep all you guys posted with which one i decide to buy whenever i decide. :)
 
You're more likely to get Thumb-like sound from SS2 than SS1. Just FYI. ;)

But be aware, SS1 is more "classically" voiced instrument, opposed to SS2 and Thumbs.
If you need an all around bass, definetely SS1. If You need some interesting sounding bass to spice up some stuff, go for SS2 and/or Thumb. :)

That's from my experience. :)
 
If you need to cut-thru in ANY band mix, get a Thumb. If you need a more all around bass, then SSI.
 
I see a lot of guys on here talking about neck dive issues with the thumb NT basses, yes they are neck heavy but it seems to me its not really as bad as its made out to be and with a proper wide strap (not a crap ernie ball $5 strap) it wouldn't be that big of an issue. Have any of you guys also found this to be true using a good high quality strap? The only time you would be letting go of the bass anyway usually is when your standing still to take a drink or something, not like your walking a marathon with it.
 
I own a Thumb BO 6 String, Neck dive with a proper strap is not such a big deal. but i don't play long gigs with it. just a little less than an hour... i mean neck dive is there, but it really depends on you, if you can handle it its okay and you get that thumb tone, that no other bass really can imitate!
 
viewoptic said:
I see a lot of guys on here talking about neck dive issues with the thumb NT basses, yes they are neck heavy but it seems to me its not really as bad as its made out to be and with a proper wide strap (not a crap ernie ball $5 strap) it wouldn't be that big of an issue. Have any of you guys also found this to be true using a good high quality strap? The only time you would be letting go of the bass anyway usually is when your standing still to take a drink or something, not like your walking a marathon with it.
Click to expand...

If you've played much standing up, you'll know it's not always just...."hey my arm can support the neck dive". For me it's fine....but many players need to have the bass stay in their preferred playing position, even when they let go of the neck.

The reason is simple... when you are using your arm to lift up the neck, that means you are affecting the way your fret hand moves up and down the board. It's much much easier to float across the frets, when there is zero pressure up or down (as it would be sitting down). Also, the way the design is with such a tiny body....it puts the frets in a different position, than a bass that has the top horn stop near the 12th fret etc. The neck feels "far away" to some. Especially 1-3 frets.

Different straps help, yes. Like a 3" leather strap, with a rough bottom. Even then though....you need to go shirtless or find the right clothing....or the Thumb will just pull your shirt down with it.

Of course there are several high profile players that were/are fine with the Thumbs balance. Jack Bruce of course is the most notable. But, the reasons above are definitely why the Thumb never caught on with many pros.
 
Hoggles said:
When you are using your arm to lift up the neck, that means you are affecting the way your fret hand moves up and down the board. It's much much easier to float across the frets, when there is zero pressure up or down (as it would be sitting down). Also, the way the design is with such a tiny body....it puts the frets in a different position, than a bass that has the top horn stop near the 12th fret etc. The neck feels "far away" to some. Especially 1-3 frets.
Click to expand...


PERFECTLY right! I´m not ranting against neck dive basses. Buzzard, Stryker... you can hang them on your knees to have the first frets closer to your body or you can stretch your left arm out a looong way. All in all this is NOT what comfort means. That´s why I love the Reverso. Freaky style but perfect balance. In the end I decided to ignore the problems of neck dive. Still the Reverso will stay close for the longer gigs. The Thumb NT5 I sold because I prefer 4 stringers. If you like them - good. If you dislike them - also good. Otoh I don´t know any reason for disliking a Streamer Stage 1.
 
A Dolphin will solve all your problems. Perfect ergonomy, no neckdive, first frets closer to you then with a thumb and it does the Thumb tone better then a Thumb does.
 
I had a thumb NT because I wanted growly tone. I also had three dolphins... They were better at growly tone.
The Thumb quite frankly was a sterile sounding unresponsive piece of shit, much like a cheap Ibanez. I did sell it with profit tho so no damage done.
 
Still he is right that the Dolphin is soundwise familiar to the Thumb. Only problem: I dislike the bodyshape of the Dolphin a lot. Also strongly disliked the Buzzard and now own a CS, but I´m sure I will never own a Dolphin. Already because of the looks I would prefer the Thumb. This was mine, bought it for 850,- EUR, a lottery win in some way too:

IMG_4619.jpg
 
Yeah....I'd LOVE to own a Dolphin....

If the shape was different :roll:

Prepare for the wrath of Henry....in 3, 2, 1....
 
Hoggles said:
Yeah....I'd LOVE to own a Dolphin....

If the shape was different :roll:

Prepare for the wrath of Henry....in 3, 2, 1....
Click to expand...


Ah shayte, let´s hope he doesn´t read this thread! :lol:
 
ROFLS. But seriously, the Thumb was not what I expected it to be.
It had qualities but growly tone wasn't one of them.
BTW I didn't experience any neck dive with the NT4. Maybe it is only the NT5 and 6 suffering from this?
 
My 4's suffer from the dive. Even the '07 LTD BO suffers from it, just a little less. Still very playable for my style though, but it's there. I would think it'd be worse on the 5's & 6's, due to the bigger neck. Maybe they're the same though.
 
Not sure how your thumb was not growly DiMarco, did it have any altered electrics in it? stock pickups? Also explain how you thought it sounded "sterile" ...in my opinion the tone of a thumb is full of character and tones ...but i guess that depends on the sound your going for, for me i usually just run lows and highs with a very low amount of mids. I like a super punchy, crisp clear tone.
 
I find my dolphin to be slightly less growly than my Thumb was. But yeah, the ergonomics make the dolphin easier to play


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New SS1 NV black (like the one in Andys demo video) Ask for a matching headstock and front red LEDs.

Case closed ....

8:
 
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